VOA标准英语2010年-Unintended Acceleration Problems Persi

The U.S. Transportation Department is looking into complaints from some Toyota owners who say they are still experiencing problems with unintended acceleration¹ even after repairs to their recalled vehicles.  The complaints raise concerns that safety issues that led to the recall of more than eight million vehicles may not be mechanical in nature, as Toyota engineers claim. 

February 24 in Washington, U.S. lawmakers heard words of assurance from top Toyota officials.

"Toyota engineers have developed effective and durable² solutions for the vehicles we have recalled," said one.

But Toyota owner Stewart Stogel is not so sure.
 
"Whatever they did, didn't' work," said Stewart Stogel.

Stogel says he picked up his recalled 2009 Camry from a dealer³ after getting repairs  to fix a sticky gas pedal. He says what happened next came as a big surprise.

"I almost got into a serious accident after the fix was done," he said. "I was saved only by a few feet and about a second going down an embankment and smashing into a brick wall."

Stogel took his car back to the dealer, but he says the service manager was unable to give him answers.

'We're going to have to look at the car," said the service manager. "I have Toyota on standby to help us with our investigation⁴, and we definitely want to get to the bottom of it."

So does the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The agency has received at least 10 similar complaints and wants to hear from other owners who have experienced problems after repairs were done. 

Safety experts say the new complaints underscore the need for tougher safety standards.
Clarence Ditlow at the Center for Auto⁵ Safety in Washington says the problem may be caused by faulty electronics.

"Today's modern car is in a way more sophisticated than a fighter jet in terms of the computers that are in it but we don't have any reassurance⁶ as to what standards went into designing the computer software that goes into those vehicles," said Clarence Ditlow.

NHTSA says the Toyota recalls are linked to at least 50 accidental deaths.
U.S. lawmakers are expected to push for new tests and new regulations after holding a series of hearings last week on auto safety.

 

1 acceleration   

n.加速，加速度

参考例句：

• All spacemen must be able to bear acceleration.所有太空人都应能承受加速度。
• He has also called for an acceleration of political reforms.他同时呼吁加快政治改革的步伐。

2 durable   

adj.持久的，耐久的

参考例句：

• This raincoat is made of very durable material.这件雨衣是用非常耐用的料子做的。
• They frequently require more major durable purchases.他们经常需要购买耐用消费品。

3 dealer   

n.商人，贩子

参考例句：

• The dealer spent hours bargaining for the painting.那个商人为购买那幅画花了几个小时讨价还价。
• The dealer reduced the price for cash down.这家商店对付现金的人减价优惠。

4 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

5 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

6 reassurance   

n.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• He drew reassurance from the enthusiastic applause.热烈的掌声使他获得了信心。
• Reassurance is especially critical when it comes to military activities.消除疑虑在军事活动方面尤为关键。